The Cardinals are recalling middle fielder Victor Scott II forward of right now’s sequence finale in opposition to the Cubs, in response to a report from The Athletic’s Katie Woo this morning. Woo means that Scott will take the place of middle fielder Michael Siani on the lively roster as he heads to the 10-day injured record on account of an indirect subject that cropped up throughout yesterday’s recreation.
It’s an unlucky flip of occasions for Siani, 25, as he was within the midst of building himself as long-term choice for the membership in middle when he exited yesterday’s recreation on account of tightness on his proper facet and was despatched for an MRI as famous by MLB.com’s John Denton yesterday. The outcomes of that MRI will not be but clear, although the middle fielder evidently would require a minimum of a ten day stint on the shelf to get better. Yesterday’s shortened efficiency ended a incredible scorching stretch for Siani that dated all the way in which again to June 24. In his earlier 31 appearances coming into yesterday’s recreation, the middle fielder had slashed an exceptional .354/.391/.415, although that stretch of offensive success got here with an eye-popping .492 BABIP that was clearly unsustainable.
Nonetheless, Siani’s progress as a hitter has been spectacular contemplating the truth that he entered the month of Could with a ghastly .128/.244/.179 slash line. His improved play since then has introduced his wRC+ as much as 79, a determine that’s nonetheless nicely beneath common however is sufficient to make him a viable common along side his elite protection in middle area and a powerful 14-for-17 observe document on the basepaths. Siani’s +15 Outs Above Common ranks second amongst all middle fielders behind Jacob Younger and fourth amongst all MLB gamers this 12 months, whereas his +10 Defensive Runs Saved ties him with defensive phenoms Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael A. Taylor for sixth amongst all outfielders.
Taking Siani’s place on the Cardinals’ lively roster is Scott, a fellow glove-first middle fielder who bats from the left facet. Scott made his huge league debut earlier this 12 months because the membership’s shocking alternative for Opening Day middle fielder however struggled badly within the position with a brutal .085/.138/.136 slash line (-22 wRC+) in 21 video games earlier than he was in the end optioned again right down to Triple-A. Scott’s struggles have continued within the minors as he’s hit simply .219/.302/.319 in 74 video games on the highest stage of the minors this 12 months regardless of a powerful strikeout fee of simply 14.3%.
It’s not at present clear if Scott will take over for Siani as an everyday fixture in middle area or will as a substitute be used as a defensive substitute off the bench. In spite of everything, the membership may make the most of both Lars Nootbaar or Tommy Pham in middle area and each gamers can be a big offensive enchancment over Scott on the place. Such a arrange would doubtless depart Brendan Donovan to maneuver from second base into an outfield nook to open the keystone up for Nolan Gorman, who has struggled to a .199/.272/.408 slash line (91 wRC+) in 99 video games with the membership this 12 months. It’s additionally attainable that Scott’s call-up to the majors may point out that Siani’s harm isn’t prone to require a significant absence, as Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Put up-Dispatch advised yesterday {that a} lengthier absence for Siani could lead on the Cardinals to try to work a right-handed bat similar to Luken Baker and even former high prospect Jordan Walker into their predominantly left-handed bench combine.
